12°c Overcast
17°c Cloudy with showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Winnipeg shows grit, better effort on the road
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It's the nature of the sports media biz to make grandiose statements and hyperbolic proclamations.
That's what we do. It's the very foundation of this wacky gig.
Related Items
So, excuse us while we resist the urge to declare the Winnipeg Jets' work on this road trip -- three of a possible four points after Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals -- as the equivalent of slaying a couple of size-large dragons.
So, how about dousing some smouldering embers, then?
"We put out some potential fires with a back-to-back win and three out of four points on the road," said head coach Claude Noel.
Still, here's the thing: Until the Jets proved otherwise the local press crew was all too willing to open up some old wounds from a year ago -- the atrocious road record and awful numbers in back-to-back games.
And now -- even though it's early -- we've got nothing.
"That's always the plan," said Evander Kane with a grin afterward. "You guys always find something to talk about. We've got to lessen all that activity out there.
"We're confident we can play on the road the way we do at home. We just need to keep that home trend going from last year. If we can get back to winning at home and improve our road record to .500 or above, we'll give ourselves a chance."
Yes, it's early. And yes, the hearty back-slapping could be lost as soon as the Jets head out on the road again next week, with stops in Montreal, Florida and Tampa Bay.
But what these two days also provided was some hard evidence of how the Jets have to play, whether it's away from home or at the MTS Centre.
This isn't a team that can be regularly carried by one line. It isn't a roster stocked with Hart Trophy candidates. But, as cornball as it sounds, when it's getting solid goaltending from Ondrej Pavelec and four lines all doing their thing, it can be effective.
"We know in here what it's going to take for us to be successful," said Jets captain Andrew Ladd. "That's a team that uses four lines, plays a high pace and plays a simple game.
"We don't have a lot of flash and dash and high-end skill on this team. I mean, we've got skilled guys, but we're going to do it by working hard and working together."
No hyperbole. No brash talk. Just the straight goods and a buy-in to what the coaches began preaching a year ago.
"The thing I'm most happy about is the fact our players are recognizing the way that we need to win," said head coach Claude Noel.
"The work that we did last year to build a foundation... I think they recognize now that we can get this done. They also like the additions we've made to our roster. Their belief system is in a really good place."
ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 23, 2013 C1
More Columnists
- Back to Top
- Return to Columnists
More Columnists
(1 of 27 articles for this week)
To call 'Cliffy' a character doesn't do him justice
05/24/2013 1:00 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Columnists
- Changes to CPP rules worth looking into
- Negotiate deal with your wife that works for both of you
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- To call 'Cliffy' a character doesn't do him justice
- You can bet the farm on housebarns
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Don't wear yourself out trying to win her back
- Blame ad by mayor, deputy for jeopardizing money-saver
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Katz bogeys again
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Political opportunity knocks to abolish Senate
- Tell husband you're not talking to her... maybe tell him why
- Tell the building manager and the peep show will end
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Goodbye, Susan; a privilege to know you
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Beloved piece of Winnipeg's music history deserves better
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- Katz bogeys again
- Dugouts could change the game
- Winter is coming
- Changes to CPP rules worth looking into
- Not much fun at this Carnaval
- You can bet the farm on housebarns
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Changes to CPP rules worth looking into
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Tick season means pets at risk of Lyme disease
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Not much fun at this Carnaval
- Mount Carmel Clinic: An oasis of acceptance in a judgmental world
- Katz bogeys again
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Granddaddy of the mock doc takes to TV
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Dugouts could change the game
- Happily selling shoes at age 89
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- White sucker right for Manitoba
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Changes to CPP rules worth looking into
- Selinger's ability to sell case weak link in tax-hike plan
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.